Chance selection device



May 16, 1961 M. M. SCHIFFMAN 2,984,487

CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Fil ed Aug. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -30 F1623l @5@LL/32 -33 no 24 4 FIG.3

M27 38 T P29 34 as as awe-mm, 37 MURRAY MscHlFFMAN ATfO/WEV May 16, 1961M. M. SCHIFFMAN 2,984,487

CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Filed Aug. 1a, 1958 2 Sh gets-Sheet 2 Ta (y 0 5s|s A D/// 8AM c) 0 O we O 0 ,/27 FIGS IN l/E N R,

MURRAY M.SCHIFFMA|N A Tram/EV.

United States Patent CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Murray M. Schilfman,Watertown, Mass. (97 Dorcar Road, Newton 59, Mass.)

Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,561

7 Claims. (Cl. 273-139) The present invention relates to game apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is to provide novel and improvedgame apparatus of a type involving the player to make a choice fromamongst a plurality of separately housed game paraphernalia, prizes orother objects of which a different group is made accessible at eachactuation of associated mechanism, but hidden from view.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel and improved game apparatusof the character mentioned, including a selector which when set inchosen positions willcause' a movably mounted member to shiftautomatically and come to rest at predetermined positions respectively,which are controlled by said mechanism, whereupon the player will have achoice to select the contents of any one from amongst a plurality ofcontainers which are made accessible to be opened when said .movablymounted member has come to a halt; there being amultiplicity of suchcontainers, but only a predetermined group from amongst them is madeaccessible at each such halt and the group difiers at each rest positionrespectively.

1 A further object thereof is to provide a novel and improved gameapparatus of the type set forth, wherein the movable member is onehaving an endless periphery, as for instance a 'revolvably mounted discor an endless belt mounted for movement about pulleys and where by'meansof a controlled electric motor, such member is selectively moved fromone position to another to make diflierent groups of containersaccessible so that they may be opened and their contents withdrawn.

Ar further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedgame device of the nature set forth, in'whose containers, a person otherthan the players, may distribute the cards of a deck, domino blocks,lotto discs, numbered tickets for the game of bingo, lettered ticketsfor the anagram games or the paraphernalia'of any game whose pieces areto be dealt to the players, and then the device is operated to deal, andof course at any stopped position of the aforementioned moving memberwhich is automatically controlled, the

players will still need choose one of a group of containers madeaccessible to be opened.

Another object thereof is to providea novel and improved game device ofthe kind described, which permits one set of players to engage in theplaying of two different games simultaneously.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel andimprovedgame devices of the character de-.

scribed, which are reasonably cheap to manufacture, easy to operate andefficient in carrying out the purposes -for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume, is to have afixed member provided with a multiplicity of equi-spaced, open-topsockets arranged in a circle. A disc whose movement is to be controlled,

ice

is rotatably mounted on said member on an axis which is the center ofsaid circle. This disc covers said sockets which serve as the mentionedcontainers. Said disc has at least two holes therethrough in registrywith any two selected socket mouths respectively. All the socket monthsmay have individual openable covers which are manipulatable through theholes in the disc as they are exposed, or better yet, a minimum ofstructure is afforded by having shiftable covers atop the disc for eachof its holes. The disc carries an electrically-conductive brush or armfor contacting successive conductive segments arranged in the manner ofa commutator on the fixed member. The commutator segments are slightlyspaced and lie in and substantially fill a ring lane concentric withsaid circle. There is a selective device having a movable element whichis set to determine the position the disc is to be moved to. Thismovable element may be an elongated strip set to be slid longitudinallyalong a track. There are spaced contact points along this track, whichare electrically connected respectively to a commutator segment; therebeing one such contact point for each commutator segment. The saidslidable member has a cut-out so that any one of the contact points isat :any one time, out of contact with said slidable strip. Such slidablestrip is electrically conductive, hence all contact points in contacttherewith will be in electrical connection. The brush arm iselectrically connected to one terminal of an electric motor arranged todrive the disc slowly. The other terminal of the motor is electricallyconnected to one terminal of an electric battery or other source ofelectrical energy supply. The other terminal of said battery iselectrically connected to the sliding strip which is the selector. Aswitch is interposed in the motor circuit and may be of the manually orcoin operated type which are stated by way of example. This switch, isnormallyin open condition. Also provided is a means to brake the disc sothat the latter be controlled at each of the commutator segments or atsegments, and yet each selector position will cause the.

disc to stop at a predetermined halt position respectively. Arrangementis also made to have a comparatively large number of containers alongconcentric circles, with appropriate moveable lids on the disc, so thatone,

lid registers with one container in each circular lane respectively.This is to accomplish a relatively small overall size for the gameapparatus. Other incidental structure and modifications will bediscussed in the detailed description which will now begiven. In theaccompanying drawings forming part of this apecification, similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken by passing a vertical plane across anupright box which is open-topped: and

contains a game apparatus embodying the teachings of this invention. Anupper disc whose movement is to be controlled, is omitted in this view.

Fig. 2 is a view showing part of Fig. 1, including said top disc.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical wiring system.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but of a modified form of wiring system.

Fig. 5 is a top face view of a printed sheet which may beusedin theabove apparatus, to provide designations along'the selector member. 7

I Fig. 6 is a top face view of the board member which lies'over's'a'idprinted sheet and is also a top plan view of Fig. 1 minus the outer boxmember and the selector member.

[Fig 7 is an elevational view of the disc which sets over the boardmember of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8'is a top plan view'of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a face view of a strip member which serves to selectapparatus-controlled stopping positions for the disc.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a modified structure.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 showing one form this invention may assume, thenumeral designates a board which sets atop a sheet 16 resting on a table17 within an opentop upright box 18. The table occupies only part ofsaid box to :leave space for an electric motor 19 and a battery 20 whichare mounted on the underside of said board 15. The motor is positionedso that its shaft 19 is vertical and extends above the upper surface ofsaid board through asuitable opening therefor. The member whose movementis to be controlled, is in this embodiment, the disc 21 which has aneyelet 22at center by which said disc is set for rotation on thevertical axis pin 23 extending upwardly from the board 15. The undersideof said disc carries a metallic brush arm 24 which as the disc isrotated, makes contact with successive contact elements arranged in theform of a commutator indentified generally by the numeral 25 which isaround the axis pin 23 on the upper side of the board 15.

011 said board 15, there are tracks 26 for the slidably mountedelectrically conductive, elongated strip 27 which is provided with anotch'28 in one longitudinal edge thereof at mid-region. On the board15, along said notched edge of the slide strip 27, is a series of spacedcontact points which equal in number the segments 130-138, constitutingthe commutator 25. These contact points are denoted by the numerals 30through 38 respectively. Their spacing is such that any one may becleared by the notch 28 of the slidemember 27, and their position issuch that those not at notch position, are all in contact with the slidemember 27. For making electrical connection to said slide member, thecontact point 29 may be provided.

' Between the tracks 26, the board 15 has a window 39 of a length atleast equal to the distance taken up by the contact points 30-38therealong. The printed sheet 16 may have indicia printed thereon inspaced relation as are said contact points; such indicia being indicatedin the lanes occupied by the letters a through i, and one, or ifdesired, more than one of them at one time, are viewable respectivelythrough suitably spaced windows in the slide member 27. Where only oneof said indicia is to show, then there is only one window 40. Where aplurality of said lanes of indicia are to show at each setting of theslide member, said member is provided with an appropriate number ofwindows. In the embodiment illnstrated, there are three such windowswhich are said window 40 and those indicated by the numerals 41 and 42which will also register with indicia lanes respectively.

The board 15 has a series of identical and equi-spaced openings in whichare supported the downwardly extending, upright containers A through I,and a similar series starting with A, arranged in circles about thecommutator and concentric therewith. The printed sheet 16 has holes asA" and A' arranged to coincide with the said containers which passthrough them respectively. The arrangement of the indicia tz-i on theprinted sheet 16 will be shown to depend upon the system of electricalconnections employed. Two such systems are shown and will now bedescribed.

In the electrical system shown in Fig. 3, the contact points 30 through38 are electrically connected in regular sequence to the successivecommutator segments through 138 respectively, while in the system shownin Fig. 4, the order of connection is irregular. In both systems, thecommutator segment is numbered one hundred higher than its associatedcontact point which is along the slide member 27. It is to be noted thatin each system, all commutator segments are of equal dimension and arespaced close enough that the brush arm 24,will contact any two adjacentones simultaneously. The brush arm 24 is electrically connected to oneterminal of the series connected group comprising the motor 19, thebattery 20 and the switch 44; the inclusion of the latter, beingoptional. The other terminal of this group is electrically connected tothe slide member 27 through the contact point 29. The motor shaft 19'frictionally engages the periphery of the disc 21.

In the embodiment illustrated, there are three holes. in said disc 21.The holes 45 and 46 are in the lane of the containers AI and the hole47.is in the lane of the containers AI'. Each of these holes has a.swingable cover on said disc. These covers are denoted respectively bythe numerals 48, 49 and 50. Each of said holes is substantially the sizeof the mouth of a container. of the series mentioned, which are belowsaid disc. When the disc comes to rest at eachactuation of theapparatus, it will stop so that said holes will register with therespective containers immediately below. Said disc 21 is preferablyprovided with a series of 'pins 52 spaced thereon equally about center.A flexible blade spring 53, extending in cantilever fashion from astandard 51 fixed to the board 15, is able to brush said pins 52 as thedisc turns while the motor 19 is powered, but such spring and pinscooperate to brake disc movement when the motor receives no power, sothat a pin on the disc will stop at the spring blade 53.

Regardless of the electrical system used, meaning whether that shown inFig. 3 or that shown in Fig. 4, the disc 21 is so set that the brush arm24 shall contact that commutator segment which is associated with thecontact point which is in the clear in the notch 28 of the slide member27. The switch 44 in the motor circuit is normally in open condition andmay be of any manually or coin-operated type. All segments of thecommutator 25 are electrically connected except that one which isrelated to the contact point in the clear at said notch in the selectorslide member 27. Even if the switch 44 is set to close, the motor 19will not operate, because there is an open circuit. A closed circuitexists and hence the motor will operate only when the brush arm is on acommutator segment which is connectegl to one of the contact pointsalong the slide member 27 which is in contact with such member.

Consider the apparatus to be in the condition shown as in Fig. 3. Thecontact point 30 is cleared by the notch, and the brush arm 24 is on thecommutator segment 130. There is an open circuit and the motor 19 is atrest, whether the switch 44 is open or closed. Set said switch in opencondition and shift the slide so that the contact point 31 is withinsaid notch and then close the switch. The contact point 30 being incontact with the slide member, current will flow to the motor to operatesame until the disc 21 is turned to a position where the brush arm 24 isoif commutator segment 130, whereupon it will be solely in contact withsegment 131, whereupon there is an open circuit, current to the motorwill stop and the disc will be quickly stopped by the braking action ofblade spring 53 against a pin 52 which it now contacts. The disc 21 willhave been turned oneninth of a revolution; there being nine commutatorsegments in the embodiment shown.

Now open the switch 44 and shift the slide member 27 to say a positionwhere the contact point 36 is cleared by the notch 28. Close the switchand the disc 21 will turn until the brush arm which it carries willreach the commutator segment 136. The disc will have turned a total ofsix-ninths of a revolution.

If .the electricalsystem is that of Fig. 4, the same manipulations willcausethe disc 21 to turn a total of eight-ninths of a revolution. Due tothe first setting where contact point 31 is 'setin the notch 28, therewill occur four-ninths of a revolution and then because of the secondsetting where the contact point 36 is set in said nptch,1the discjwillturn another four-ninths of a revolution.

In the use illustrated, the motor need be of slight power so that. itcan be run by a dry cell 20 as used in a flashlight, and the motor isuni-directional, in this instance counterclockwise so that the disc 21shall rotate clockwise.

The disc 21, the board" and the printed sheet 16 if one is used, canall. be removed from the box and are separable from each other. Thispermits the'printed sheet to be changed and all the containers are openfor loading and emptying. It is advisable to have locating pins54-ex'tending a bit upward from the table 17 for locatingtheprintedsheet which has .the holes 55 for suchpurpose' 'These locatingpins and holes may be omitted because the sheet will position properlywhen the containers A-I and A- set in the holes of the series A", A' inthe sheet.

Instead of the disc, the controlled movable member may be an endlessbelt 56 mounted to run on the pulleys 57. In such instance, thecommutator would comprise the arrangement shown at 58 where its segmentsare on the fixed sheet 59. The contact arm 60 would of course he carriedby the belt which is driven by the motor shaft 19'. One way of gettingelectrical connection to the contact arm 60 would be to have the beltand its pulleys conductive and the lead connected to the shaft of one ofthe pulleys; such shaft also being electrically conductive. Pins 61extending from the endless belt 56, act to brake belt movement incooperation with the cantilever blade spring 62. Within the areaencompassed by the belt, there are horizontally positioned containers 63fixed on said board 59 so that their mouths are adjacent said belt atcorresponding ends of the commutator segments where the space permits.

In the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, andparticularly in Fig. 8, the disc 21 is provided with at least twoopenings which are denoted by the numerals 45 and 46 and are of a sizenearly that of the mouth of the containers. Such openings are to haveaccess one at a time to a container of the series A and to a containerof the series A, with which they are respectively in register when thedisc is at a rest position. If a three window arrangement is used in theslide member 27, as 4042, then the disc should have a third opening 47to register with a third container. Each of these openings in the discis covered by a swingable cover. These are indicated respectively by thenumerals 48, 49 and 50 and are normally in closing position.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the belt 56 is provided with twosimilar openings with shiftable covers 67 and 68, to register withcontainers of the series 63.

In Fig. 10, all the containers are not shown in order to attain clarityof illustration. It is intended that there should be at least onecontainer for each commutator segment to get the full advantage of thisapparatus, so that a player could choose the contents of only one of atleast a pair of containers which are made accessible. The belt may be ofa plastic or leather of a width so that it extends above the top facesof the pulleys 57. The containers 63 can then be one at each commutatorsegment, at a level above said pulleys.

It is evident that depending upon any set position of the selectormember 27, upon actuation of the device by closing the switch 44, thedisc 21 or the belt 56 as the case may be, will come to rest at someposition determined by the apparaus and that at each rest position, atleast two containers will be made accessible to be emptied.

Since each player is allowed the contents of only one container of thegroup made accessible at any rest position of the controlled movablemember 21 or 56, his choice is one of chance.

It is evident that the containers of the series A and those of theseries A may have distributed amongst them a deck of cards of any cardgame, or the blocks of a domino game, or a set of lotto discs, ornumbered tickets for a bingo game, or the set of tabs of any anagramgame, or printed tickets giving directions for play of a baseball orother ball games or the paraphernalia of any game whose pieces are to bedealt to the players. The players alternately set the selector 27 at anychosen position and close the switch 44, whereupon the disc 21 will moveand come to rest at the predetermined position controlled by themechanism as explained.

The windows 40, 41, 42 may be encircled by differently colored lanesrespectively indicated by the numerals 40, 41 and 42 and each of theswingable lids or covers 48, 49, 50 have a single-colored lane as shownat 50', to correspond to those around said windows. The lanes a-i mayhave printing, only parts of which are to be considered depending onwhich color window the player chooses for making his setting of theselector member 27, and said parts of the printing in each lane may bein some manner indicative of container contents if the nature of suchcontents permits, or said printing a-i may be merely numerals or somewitty expression respectively.

It is evident that if half the containers of random position are ladenwith the pieces of a lotto game and the other half with the pieces of adomino game, the players may engage in the playing of two differentgames simultaneously, though the speculative choice of paraphernalia atthe discs stopped positions, may disrupt such intention by yielding theparaphernalia of only one of the games to finish such game before thesecond is even started.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein shallbe deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shallcover all patentable novelty herein set forthreference being had to thefollowing claims rather than to the specific description herein toindicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a device for dealing game paraphernalia, prizes and the like, thecombination of a member having an endless periphery, mounted formovement so that such periphery moves about the area it encompasses, acomparatively large number of stationary containers positioned withtheir mouths adjacent said member; said member being across said mouths,a stationary commutator structure comprising a plurality of electricallyconductive segments arranged spaced in a formation substantiallyconcentric with said periphery, an electrically conductive arm movingwith said member, in contact at most with two successive segments whileit is in motion, an electric motor with means arranged to move saidmember in the manner mentioned when said motor is actuated, a source ofelectrical energy, a plurality of spaced fixed electrically conductivecontact points, one for each of said segments, an electricallyconductive selector element having a cutout, movably positioned wherebyany one of said contact points is encompassed by said cut-out and spacedtherefrom while all remaining contact points are in contact with saidselector element; the segments of the commutator being electricallyconnected to said contact points respectively; said motor and energysource as a group, being in electrical series connection; such grouphaving end terminals; the said selector element being electricallyconnected to one of the terminals of said group and the contact armbeing electrically connected to the other of said terminals," wherebythe motorwill be deactuated'when the contact arm reaches and contactsonlythe commutator segment connected tothe contact point at'sai'dcut-out; said containers being'arranged in at least one-lane concentricwith said commutator structure; "said movable member having acomparatively small number of holes therethrough which registerrespectively-withmouthsof containers at each rest positionofsaid'movable'membcr and "movably mounted mouth-covering elements, oneacross each of said holes; any of said mouth-covering elements whenshifted, offering accessibility to the container which registers withthe hole uncovered; the mentioned holes numbering more-than one.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim '1, wherein the mouth-coveringelements are carried on the movable member.

3. The apparatus-as defined in claim 1, wherein the selectorelenrent isprovided with as many windows as there'are holes in the-movable memberand stationary indicia positioned under the selector element, viewablein part througheach of'said windows at each set position of saidselector member; the 'mouth closing elements bearing dflferent indiciarespectively and similar 'to indicia 1 on the' slecto'r element adjacenteachof -"said 'win-- dows respectively. a a

4. The I apparatus A defined '-in claim 1, 5 including an electrical"switch included -in series electrical ccfannection in the mentionedgroup. g

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, including braking means actingtostop the movable member -uponaeactuation of the motor.

"6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, -'-whereinthe successivecontact points are electrically connected-re- 1,220,976 'Gilbert 27,1917 1,925,842 Mayville Sept. 5, 1933 2,069,134 Collins et al. Jan. 26,1937' 2,600,790 Mariani et al. .June 17, 1952. 2,795,427 Sachs June11,1957

